This is one of the kinds of songs I aspire to write whenever I can!!detail detail detail. That's what makes if memorable from any other song.
It doesn't just say, I saw an old guy homeless freezing, but maybe he actually just wanted to get to heaven. But the song doesn't SAY that, it tells you the story.
OH and a great melody didn't hurt either!
He had plastic bags wrapped 'round his shoes
He was covered with the evening news
Had a pair of old wool socks on his hands
The bank sign was flashin' 5 below
It was freezing rain and spittin' snow
He was curled up behind some garbage cans
[Pre-Chorus 1:
I was afraid that he was dead, I gave him a gentle shake
When he opened up his eyes, I said, "Old man are you OK?"
What'd he say, Jelly?
[Chorus:
"I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree
I was runnin' from some honey bees
Drip-dryin' in the summer breeze
After jumpin' into Calico Creek
I was walkin' down an old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man I wish you'd just left mе alone
'Cause I was almost home"
[Verse 2:
Thеn he said, "I's just comin' 'round the barn
'Bout the time you grabbed my arm
When I heard mama holler, "Son, hurry up"
I was close enough for my old nose
To smell fresh cobbler on the stove
And I saw daddy loadin' up the truck
[Pre-Chorus 2:
Cane poles on the tailgate, bobbers blowin' in the wind
Since July of '55, that's as close as I've been"
[Chorus:
"Yeah, I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree
I was runnin' from some honey bees
Drip-dryin' in the summer breeze
After jumpin' into Calico Creek
I was walkin' down an old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home"
[Bridge:
I said ,"Old man you're gonna freeze to death
Let me drive you to the mission"
He said, "Boy, if you'd've left me alone
Right now I'd be fishin'"
"I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree
I was runnin' from some honey bees
Drip-dryin' in the summer breeze
After jumpin' into Calico Creek
I was walkin' down an old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home
I was almost home"
[Outro:
Man I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home
